CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON STUDENT RETENTION - A ROLE FOR INSTITUTIONALRESEARCH

This paper proposes a role for institutional research in changing inst itutional attitudes about the priority placed on student retention eff orts. Problems associated with changing perspectives are described usi ng Kuber-Ross's work On Death and Dying. Potential barriers associated with changing the status of student retention efforts within the inst itution are identified relative to her stages of grief-denial, hostili ty, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Tactics useful in addressi ng and moving through each stage are described. Results from several s tudies on student retention provide information that has been used to promote and change attitudes toward student retention efforts at all l evels at Virginia Tech.